Convertible vehicle with an unfoldable roof

ABSTRACT

A convertible vehicle ( 1 ) with an unfoldable roof ( 2 ), which can be placed under a cover ( 5 ) in the open position and has at least one rear bracket ( 4 ), which rests on the cover ( 5 ) in the closed position of the roof ( 2 ), and is constructed in such a way that the opening motion of the roof ( 2 ) includes a combined lift/rotation motion ( 13 ) of the bracket ( 4 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention concerns a convertible vehicle with an unfoldable roof that has at least one rear bracket.

[0002] Tops with rear brackets must be moved during opening in such a way that the brackets are first lifted from a cover on which they rest when the roof is closed, and can then be placed in a rear part of the vehicle with a downward motion. With some roof geometries, at least a partial area of the brackets can rest in front of an obstacle, such as a step in the chassis or an additional component, in the closed position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a collision-free and reliable opening mechanism also for roof constructions of this kind.

[0004] Because the opening motion of the brackets is a lift/rotation motion, the brackets can be lifted over an obstacle, so that, for example, a swiveling axis around which the brackets can be rotated and which rests beneath a step on the chassis side can be lifted over the obstacle as a whole when the roof is opened.

[0005] If the roof is constructed as a so-called fin top with two essentially triangular brackets, when viewed from the top, then these can be connected together with a cross support which increases stability, and the cross support, for example a tube or a similar object, can be located entirely under the window railing line so that it is not visible when the roof is closed. However, by using the lift/rotation motion according to the invention, the cross support can be lifted over an obstacle on the chassis side. This is especially advantageous with a rear window that can be lowered and which can be mounted in a module on the chassis side. Based on the invention, the side brackets with the cross support can then be moved over the upper edge of the module.

[0006] Additional advantages and details can be seen in the accompanying drawings and description.

IN THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 shows a convertible vehicle according to the invention in a schematic side view,

[0008]FIG. 2 shows a detail view of the linkage parts, essentially corresponding to section II in FIG. 1,

[0009]FIG. 3 shows a similar view to FIG. 2 when the brackets are opened,

[0010]FIG. 4 shows a similar view to FIG. 3 as the opening of the roof proceeds further,

[0011]FIG. 5 shows a similar view to FIG. 4 with the roof completely open,

[0012]FIG. 6 shows the linkage parts according to FIG. 2 in the closed initial position,

[0013]FIG. 7 shows the linkage parts in the position according to FIG. 3, and

[0014]FIG. 8 shows the linkage parts in the position according to FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] According to the embodiment example, the convertible vehicle 1 has a roof 2 that consists of two back areas 3 with triangular shapes. These back areas 3 are supported by brackets 4, so-called fins, that will hold the roof 2 with a rear cover 5. The roof 2 can be constructed completely or partially as a flexible, textile cover. When the roof 2 is in the closed position, the brackets 4 rest on the cover 5 and must be lifted off the cover in order to make it possible to open it. When the cover 5 is open, the roof 2 and the rear brackets 4 can be moved as a whole into a chassis area in which it can be covered by the cover 5.

[0016] A rear window 6 is located in front of and between the rear brackets 4; it can be opened separately when the roof is in the closed position, and in its lowered position 7, it rests in a box-shaped receptacle 8 on the chassis side.

[0017] The brackets 4 are connected with a cross support 9, for example a tube, in order to increase the stability of the roof. When the brackets are opened (FIGS. 2 and 3), the cross support 9 must pass through an intermediate area 10 between a roof-frame part 11 and the upper edge 12 of the receptacle 8 on the chassis side.

[0018] In order to make this procedure possible, the cross support 9, which is firmly connected to the brackets 4, must be placed on the motion path 13, which is superimposed, combining a lifting and a rotation motion. In order to assure optimal invisibility of the connection tube 9 in the closed state of the roof 2, it can be located underneath the cover 5. Based on its low position, it must first be lifted in order for it to clear the upper edge 12 of the receptacle 8 when opening the roof.

[0019] To enable the combined motion path 13, the side brackets 4 are mounted so that they can rotate on the side control rods 14 each of which is in turn connected through an intermediate guide rod 15 and a second intermediate guide rod 16 to the rear roof-frame part 17. The rear roof-frame part 17 is adjoined by a rear cover part and can be rotated around a main bearing 18 on the chassis side, whereby the main bearing 18 assumes a fixed position in the chassis. A drive element 26, for example a hydraulic cylinder, assists the rotation; it is connected to the roof-frame part 17 with an axle 27. At one end, the first intermediate guide rod 15 is connected to the control rod 14 through an articulated axle 19 and on the other end, it is connected to the roof-frame part 17 through another swiveling axle 20. By rotating this roof-frame part 17, a pulling motion is exerted on the swiveling axle 20 in the direction of the arrow 21; in this way, the articulated axle 19 of the control rod 14 is moved simultaneously, so that a rotation motion is transmitted to the control rod 14.

[0020] Moreover, the control rod 14 is attached to a lower articulated axle 22 with a bearing in a rocker 23 constructed as a long hole. Coaxially to the articulated axle 22, the second intermediate guide rod 16 is connected to the control rod 14. At the other end, the intermediate guide rod 16 on the swiveling axle 24 is also mounted to the rear roof-frame part 17 so that it can rotate. When the rear frame part 17 is rotated around the main bearing 18, a pulling motion is exerted on the swiveling axle 24 in the direction of the arrow 25, whereby the second intermediate guide rod 16 with its opposite end in the rocker 23 moves the articulated axle 22 of the control rod 14 upward. These two simultaneous motions result in the motion path 13.

[0021] The control rods 14 are not fixed on the chassis side, but are connected to the rear roof-frame part 17 merely through the two intermediate guide rods 15, 16. The end of the control rod 14 opposite the articulated axles 19, 22 is connected to the rear bracket 4 and the cross support 9 through a link 28. Overall, the control rod 14 is constructed like a swan's neck, so that it allows the connection of the articulated axles 19, 22 through a bearing at its end on the chassis side and is comprised of a gripping neck region extending to the rear bracket 4. 

What I claim is:
 1. A convertible vehicle (1) with an unfoldable roof (2), which can be placed under a covering (5) in the open position and has at least one rear bracket (4) which rests on the cover (5) in the closed position of the roof (2), wherein the opening motion of the roof (2) includes a combined lift/rotation motion (13) of the bracket (4).
 2. A convertible vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the roof (2) includes two essentially triangular brackets (4), when viewed from above; a rear window (6) is placed in front and between said brackets (4) which are connected to each other through a cross support (9).
 3. A convertible vehicle according to claim 2, wherein that the cross support (9) rests underneath the cover (5) in the closed position of the roof (2).
 4. A convertible vehicle according to claim 2 wherein the roof (2) is in closed position, the rear window (6) can be lowered into a box-shaped receptacle (8) on the chassis side, whereby in the closed position of the roof, the cross support (9) rests at least partially in the direction of travel (F) in front of the upper edge (12) of the receptacle (8).
 5. A convertible vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the bracket(s) (4) is/are attached to side control rods (14), which are not in a fixed position.
 6. A convertible vehicle according to claim 5, wherein that the control rod (14) is connected to a rotating roof-frame part (17) opposite to the main bearing (18) on the side, in order to transmit the rotation motion through an intermediate guide rod (15).
 7. A convertible vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the control rod (14) is mounted in a bearing in a rocker 23 constructed as a long hole, in order to transmit the lift motion.
 8. A convertible vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the control rod (14) is connected to another intermediate guide rod (16), which is mounted at one end to the frame part (17), which can be rotated around the main bearing (18), and at the other end coaxially (22) to the control rod (14), which is mounted in the rocker (23).
 9. A convertible vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the control rod (14) is attached firmly to the bracket (4) at one end, and is not attached on the chassis side at the other end, except for the two intermediate guide rods (15, 16). 